9 amazing Aussie anchorages you must visit

Mike McKiernan

Posted April 19 2016

What anchorages are on your bucket list? Skippers are spoilt for choice when exploring Australia's coastlines. Here are just nine of the incredible destinations recommended by members of the Deckee community.

"The Lizard Island National Park is a highlight of the Queensland coast. It’s a stunning tropical paradise with beautiful beaches, clear water and plenty of coral. The island itself boasts a selection of great walks that offer stunning views and access to some of the smaller, secluded beaches. In the winter months, you’ll find a dozen boats anchored in Watsons Bay on the north side of the island. Watsons Bay offers great protection from the prevailing south-easterly winds, and you’ll more than likely find friendly yachties gathered on the beach for a sunset drink. Many of the shallow reefs in Watsons Bay also offer great snorkelling with no shortage of fish and turtles. I’d recommend staying for as long as you can to really explore this amazing island paradise." – Jessica Watson

"On Tasmania’s west coast there are two large nearly enclosed bodies of water, Macquarie Harbour and Port Davey. Surprisingly with a mere 100 miles between them, they are quite different. Port Davey is stark mountains clothed in what looks like a carpet of grass producing views without limit. Both bodies of water contain numerous anchorages, which is really good considering that this area’s weather can change quickly and the mountainous terrain can accelerate storm winds." – Jack and Jude

"Hervey Bay in Queensland is a wonderful destination to consider when cruising. It is considered by many as a required stopover during the winter cruising season, not only to re-provision and refuel but also a cruising area in its own right with Fraser Island, nearby historical Maryborough and many whales during migration season, something not to be missed.

Hervey Bay makes up part of the Great Sandy Straights which are named for a very good reason. There is are sandbanks everywhere. One must adhere to the navigational channels if you do not wish to embarrass yourself by becoming stranded on one of these sandbanks on a ebbing tide." – Greg Harding

"Pittwater’s most popular bay with over 100 club moorings, and also the only designated camping ground in The Ku-rin-gai National Park. It can get a bit crowded on summer weekends, so mid week or shoulder seasons are the best to discover the real beauty of this bay. Great expanses of flat grassy park land, a netted swimming enclosure, gas bbq’s, showers and toilets, long stretches of white sandy beach and some of the best walking tracks in the park are just some of the magic here.

Offers best protection from South East / South West / North West winds. Open to North East and tends to cop the strong South Westerlies unless you are tucked right up at the head of the bay."

"Mention Coles Bay, Wineglass Bay, and Freycinet National Park to a Tasmanian and you’ll see eyes light up with thoughts of fishing and boating, bushwalking, sea kayaking, rock climbing, sun and sand, and spectacular coastal scenery.

Where else in Australia can you find pink granite mountains rising straight from the sea to form a magnificent sheltered waterway or one of the top ten beaches in the world, Wineglass Bay?

Coles Bay sits at the foot of the granite mountains known as the Hazards and on the edge of the world-renowned Freycinet National Park and Wineglass Bay, about two and 1/2 hours drive from Hobart and Launceston on the east coast of Tasmania."

"A stunning wide expanse of sheltered blue waters, Moreton Bay is an aquatic playground and marine sanctuary situated 14 km from central Brisbane, Queensland. It is one of Queensland's most important coastal resources. The waters of Moreton Bay are a popular destination for recreational anglers and are used by commercial operators who provide seafood to market.

The western side of Moreton Island is somewhat protected from the open ocean and winds from the island. Although there are no public mooring available, there are some protected areas to anchor in between the Tangalooma Wrecks and the beach. The Wrecks creates a breakwall perfect for offshore anchorage."

"We recently sheltered from a southerly buster in
Refuge Cove. 40+ knots all around and 70 knots in Port Phillip bay that night. We anchored close to the southern beach in 5 meters of water. Holding was good with 15 meters of chain out. At low water the tidal range is a bit over a meter so be careful about how close to the beach you go. If it gets a bit crowed with power boats don’t be too concerned about anchoring on the other side. In a southerly, most if the wind goes over the top.
The entrance to Refuge has a light on the port hand side. It is quite hard to pick up the entry to the bay and easy to mistakenly think Sealers Cove is the entry." – Greg Clinnick

"Port Augusta at the head of Spencer Gulf, lies just west of the Flinders Ranges. Located 308 km from Adelaide, it is the most northerly port in South Australia.

There is no other town in Australia quite like Port Augusta for contrasts. The town is literally on the edge of a desert. To the west lie five huge plateaus where there are dry salt lakes beside the road. Only a few kilometres to the north, the edge of town gives way to flat scrubby land which stretches to the horizon where the beautifully contoured, undulating slopes of the Flinders Ranges rise majestically. They are magical in their beauty, and in spring are impossibly green and fertile. At sunset they are gently coloured with a purplish hue." – Jack and Jude

"Middle Harbour is an incredible cruising environment for any kind of vessel. The beautiful bays, parks and reserves present a popular alternative for those looking to escape the bustling activity of Sydney Harbour.

Bantry Bay is beautiful, you feel as though you are the only people there until you see the lights of the houses pop on at night. Ashore are walks in the Garigal National Park.

Roseville Chase is another pretty place, you can anchor with confidence. Easy access to bus services into the city." – Marilyn Graham